Yeast Infection in Women and Men (cont.)

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

Are there home remedies to treat a vaginal yeast infection?

Yeast infection is treated using antifungal drugs. Both prescription and
over-the-counter remedies are available that are effective in treating vaginal
yeast infections. Nonprescription drugs are the best home remedy for yeast
infections, and they can cure most yeast infections (see next section).

What over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available to treat a vaginal yeast infection?

Topical antibiotic (antifungal) treatments (applied directly to the affected area) are available without a prescription. These include vaginal creams, tablets, or suppositories. Regimens vary according to the length of treatment and may be 1-, 3-, or 7-day regimens. Recurrent infections may require even longer courses of topical treatment.

Examples of over-the-counter drugs for yeast infections include:

clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex),

miconazole (Micatin, Monistat),

terconazole (Terzol), and

nystatin (Mycostatin).

Homeopathic methods have not been adequately studied for clinicians to recommend them and anti –itch medications treat only the itching symptoms but do not treat the underlying cause (yeast infection).

When are oral prescription medications used to treat a vaginal yeast infection?

Oral prescription medications, taken in pill or tablet form, can be used to treat recurrent yeast infections or infections that do not respond to topical treatment. Fluconazole (Diflucan) is typically used as the first-choice oral antifungal medicine. Other drugs, like itraconazole (Sporanox), may sometimes be used. These drugs may also be taken as weekly or monthly maintenance for women who have recurrent yeast infections, but it is first necessary to prove by culture that recurrent infections are occurring. Oral antifungal medications should not be used by pregnant women.

Oral medications also have more side effects, including nausea, headache, and abdominal pain, than topical medicines.